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George Strait, a pioneer of the neotraditionalist movement and dubbed the “King of Country, Photo By Bede735 –

20 Most Popular Country Songs of All Time

Over 10% of the American population are avid listeners of country music. The genre gathers about 2 billion USD annually through radio streams only.

Country Music dates back to the 1900s when it originated from the Southern states of Arizona, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia, and Alabama. It was previously referred to as Old Familiar Tunes and later Hill Country Songs and Ballads before officially becoming Country Music.

Some of the most famous Country Music singers include Johnny Cash, Kenny Rodgers, and Taylor Swift. These artists have made billions from their music and won several accolades from the American entertainment industry.

The use of string instruments such as guitars, fiddles, and banjo makes any Country song mellow and danceable. Listed below are the twenty most popular Country Songs of all time.

Read about other popular country singers here. 

1. I Walk In The Line – Johnny Cash

Cash performing in Bremen, West Germany, in September 1972. Photo By Heinrich Klaffs –

I Walk In The Line was Johnny’s first song to top the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. It was released in 1956 as a single from his album Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!

The song was on the record charts for 11 months and has sold over 2 million units since its release. At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it is listed among the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. In 2014, Rolling Stone ranked it as the greatest country song of all time.  

2. Jolene – Dolly Patron

Dolly Parton accepting Liseberg Applause Award 2010. Photo By Curtis Hilbun –

Jolene was the first single in Dolly Patron’s 13^th studio album, Jolene. It was released in October 1973 and remained Dolly’s most covered song.

In 1975 and 1976, the track was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance Grammy Award but lost both awards. In 2017 however, a Pentatonix cover that featured Dolly won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

The song is certified platinum in the U.K, U.S.A, Australia, Denmark, and Norway. In 2020, it regained popularity after New Zealand used it as a form of sensitization in preventing the spread of coronavirus: the time taken to sing Jolene’s chorus was equated to the time taken to wash one’s hands.

3. Take Me Home, County Roads – John Denver

Denver’s live concert television special An Evening With John Denver (1975). Photo By ABC Television –

Take Me Home, County Roads is a song about West Virginia composed by John Denver, Bill Danoff, and Taffy Nivert. It was released in April 1971 as a single from the album Poems, Prayers & Promises.

With over 1 million sales in the U.S., Take Me Home was made one of the four state anthems of West Virginia. It was certified Gold within five months of its release and was top five in the Billboard Hot 100 single in the same year.

4. All My Exes Live in Texas – George Strait

George Strait, a pioneer of the neotraditionalist movement and dubbed the “King of Country, Photo By Bede735 –

All My Exes Live in Texas is an up-tempo beat song that wa released in 1987. It was written by the famous songwriter Sanger D. Safer and recorded by George Strait.

In 1987, the song ranked number one on Canada Country Tracks and U.S. Billboard Hot County Songs. It is one of Strait’s best songs. Rappers, such as Drake, and bands like Glassjaw have referred to its lyrics in their songs.

5. The Gambler – Kenny Rodgers

Rogers in 2012 at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Eva Rinaldi–

Kenny Rodgers is undoubtedly one of the most popular Country musicians worldwide. He was one of the artists who recorded The Gambler, a 1976 composition by Don Schlitz.

Before Kenny’s version was released in November 1978, musicians such as Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare, and Don Schlitz had recorded the song. Despite this, Rodger’s version saw success and won the 1980 Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

A film of the same name based on the song’s composition premiered in 1980. Its success led to the production of its four sequels.

6.  Mean – Taylor Swift

Swift opening for Brad Paisley in 2007. Photo By minds-eye –

Mean was the third single from Taylor’s album, Speak Now. Its composition was inspired by critics the singer had gotten from her career as a musician.

The song was identified as the highlight of her album for its catchy tune and explicit lyrics. In 2012, it won two Grammy Awards and received good reviews for its positive messages on anti-bullying and self-empowerment.

7. Coward of The County – Kenny Rodgers

Rogers in 1997. Photo By John Matthew Smith –

Coward of The County is a 1979 jam of Rodger’s multi-platinum album, Kenny. It was number one on four Canadian and two American charts. The song ranked at position one in Ireland six weeks after its debut.

The song inspired a 1981 movie under the same name starring Kenny Rodgers. The song has two notable covers, one by Alvin and the Chipmunks and another by Sister Nancy.

Aside from Kenny Rodgers, find out about other iconic musicians from Texas on the website.

8. He Stopped Loving Her Today – George Jones

George Jones performing at Harrah’s Metropolis in Metropolis, Illinois in June 2002. Photo By Secisek –

This song was released in April 1980. It was Jones’ lead single from his 1980 album. It was also his first song solo to top the charts for nearly six years.

The success of He Stopped Loving Her Today became Jones’s ticket to fame. He won Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 1980 Grammy Awards. The song was also awarded the best single of The Year and Song of The Year in the same year.

After George passed away in 2013, the song regained popularity and was ranked number 21 in the Hot Country Songs. George Strait sang it as his tribute C.M.A. Awards that same year.

9. Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette

Tammy Wynette performing in London, 1975. Photo By Michael Putland –

Stand By Your Man is one of the most familiar songs in Country Music history. After its release in September 1968, it became Tammy’s most successful song ever.

The song was number one on the 1975 U.K. Singles Chart, three on the 1968 U.S. Country Charts, and nineteen on the U.S. pop charts. It has appeared in several films, namely Five Easy Pieces (1970), The Blue Brother (1980), and numerous other movies in the ’90s and the 2000s.

In 2003, the track was number one on C.M.T.’s list of the 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music.

10. Mama Tried – Merle Haggard

Haggard performing live in 1971. Photo By
Country Music Association –

Mama Tried by Merle Haggard is an award-winning song released in July 1968. It peaked at number one in the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles and Canadian R.P.M. Country Tracks.

Due to its artistic and historical significance, it has been preserved in the National Recording Registry since 2016. It has been covered by artists such as Joan Baez, Everly Brothers, and David Allan.

11. Lady – Kenny Rodgers

Rogers in 2012 at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia. Photo by –

Lady was written by Lionel Richie and recorded in 1980 by Kenny Rodgers. It is one of Kenny’s biggest hits alongside The Gambler, Lucille, and Coward Of The County. The song was number one on the three American charts. It propelled both Kenny’s and Lionel’s fame worldwide.

The track was the first to be number one in four Billboard magazine charts: Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, Country, and Top Soul Singles.

12. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack performing live at the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, DC. Photo By John Athayde –

I Hope You Dance was produced and released in March 2000. It is Ann’s only Billboard number-one track; over the years, it became her signature song. In 2000, the Mark Wright production won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. In 2001, it won Song of The Year under three different categories.

13. Settin’ The Woods On Fire – Hank Williams

Williams performing in 1951. Photo By MGM Records derivative work –

Setting The Woods On Fire was released in September 1952. The song was written and produced by Fred Rose. Frankie Laine and Jo Stafford released a duet cover in1952. Other covers by Porter Wagoneer, Mason Proffit, Johnny Burnette, and Matchbox were done between 1958 and 1978.

14. Ring Of Fire – Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash, Bremen, September 1972. Photo By Heinrich Klaffs –

Ring Of Fire was initially released as Anita Carter’s song before appearing on Johnny’s sixteenth album in 1963. The song is one of his top-selling records attaining over 1.2 million digital downloads, and was named top five of the Greatest Country songs of All Time by Country Music Television.

The most popular versions of the song were by Sandy Kelly (1990), Eric Burdon (1969), and Alan Jackson (2010).

Learn amazing facts about Johnny Cash in this article.

15. Islands of the Stream – Kenny Rodgers and Dolly Patron

Parton in 1977. Photo By RCA Records-

The song Islands of the Stream was released in 1983. It was named after a novel by Ernest Hemingway and written by the Bee Gees.

Before it became a duet by Rodgers and Dolly, Islands of the Stream was an RnB song that was supposed to be sung by Diana Ross. In 2005, the tune was named Best Country Duet of all Time.  

16. Love Story – Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift. Photo By Raph_PH –

Love Story was Taylor’s lead single from her 2008 album Fearless. The Country pop song is considered one of her best singles, ranking top in music charts across Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Scotland, and the U.K.

Love Story broke the record of the first country song to top the Mainstream Top 40 for the most airplay in the top 40 American radio stations. With the song, Swift became the youngest songwriter to win B.M.I.’s Song of the Year.

17. Achy Breaky Heart – Billie Ray Cyrus

Cyrus singing at the Kids Inaugural Event in January 2009. Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark O’Donald –

Achy Breaky Heart was first released in 1991 as Don’t Tell My Heart by an American trio called the Marcy Brothers. Billie Ray Cyrus did his rendition in 1992, naming it Achy Breaky Heart. It was his first single ever released.

In Australia, it broke the record and became the first single to attain triple platinum status. It was Billie Cyrus’ signature song, and a crossover hit on Country and Pop radio. The song’s video is credited for the popularity of the line dance.

18. You’re Still The One – Shania Twain

Shania Twain performing during her Up! Tour in 2004. Photo By David Swales –

Shania Twain is a Canadian-born country singer and songwriter. Her third album, Come On Over, was released in 1998 and had three singles, including You’re Still the One.

The song became her most successful tune ranking number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three months. Across Australia, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the U.K., it was top 10 in the countries’ music charts.

You’re Still the One has won two Grammys and numerous awards after its release. In America only, it has received over 6 million streams. Twain became the first female Country artist nominated for MTV’s Best Female Video.

19. Miami, My Amy – Keith Whitley

Whitley performing in 1988. Photo By Vistadeck –

Miami, My Amy was released in 1986 as part of five singles from Keith’s album L.A to Miami. It was ranked among the top 20 U.S. Hot Country Songs. In 2022, the song regained popularity through a Tiktok trend.

20. Crazy – Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline promotional photograph. Photo Source

Crazy is a traditional pop and country song by Patsy Cline. It was written by Willie Nelson and released in 1961. It was top ten on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles and Hot 100.

The song’s success earned Patsy the title Billboard’s Favorite Female Country Artist in 1961. In the U.S., Crazy was named the jukeboxes’ most-played song for 1996.

Other popular songs include Song of The South by Alabama, Hurt by Johnny Cash, and Georg Strait’s Amarillo by Morning.